Chevy HHR: How To Reset The TPMS

The TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring system, is a handy feature in many modern cars, like the Chevy HHR. It monitors the pressure of your tires and lets you know when they need a boost. However, if the light stays on, even when the tire pressure seems fine, you may want to know how to turn it off.

This guide will cover how to reset your Chevy’s TPMS in a couple of different ways.

Before You Start

Before we dig into the details of how to reset your TPMS, there are a couple of preparatory steps to follow.

First, check the recommended air levels needed. You can refer to the manufacturer’s sticker inside the driver’s door for how much air must be in each tire. Additionally, make sure the spare has the correct amount of air as well.

Keep in mind that even after the tires are inflated, it may take some time – even several days – for them to adjust to the surrounding air temperature. Hence, you need to wait a little while after inflation to let the tires settle, as the TPMS light may not turn off immediately.

If it stays illuminated for several days or a week, even after following the methods below, you’ll most likely need to have the HHR serviced. There could be a sensor issue or even a tire puncture that you haven’t been able to detect, which pros can diagnose and deal with for you.

First Method: Without a TPMS Reset Tool

There are two main ways to reset your TPMS: either with a TPMS reset tool or without. You can buy these tools quite cheaply online (or from auto stores). If the tool-less method detailed below doesn’t quite work for you, consider buying one and trying the second method.

1. Take a seat and push your foot on the brake.
2. Turn the key to the “On” position, but don’t start the engine.
3. Press and hold the “Lock” and “Unlock” buttons on your key fob at the same time. You should hear the horn beep twice to signify that the reset process has begun.
4. You now need to remove air from each tire in a specific order until the horn beeps for each one. The order is: driver’s side front, passenger’s side front, passenger’s side rear, then driver’s side rear. Let air from each one until the horn beeps, then stop and move to the next.
5. Once you’ve done the whole set, go back around each tire and fill them up to the right PSI levels (which you should have checked before starting).
6. Turn the car off, then back to the “On” position, and you should see the TPMS has reset.

Second Method: With a TPMS Reset Tool

As stated above, the second method involves the use of a reset tool. This process is similar to the previous one, but instead of having to let air out of each tire, you can just use the tool on each one.

1. In the driver’s seat, push down on the brake pedal and turn your car to “On.”
2. Push the “Lock” and “Unlock” buttons on your key fob together, and hold until you hear the horn beep twice.
3. Get out of the car, leaving the key switched to “On,” and go around the tires, using the TPMS reset tool on each one. Start at the driver’s side front, then passenger front, passenger rear, and driver rear to finish. Activate and hold the tool on each tire for a few seconds until the horn beeps.
4. The horn will beep twice after the final tire, letting you know the TPMS is reset. You can then turn your car off and back on and shouldn’t have to worry about the TPMS light showing up.

Note: You may still want to check and top up your tire pressure before starting this process. That will ensure that any pressure problems or deficiencies are resolved before resetting the TPMS.

Alternatively, some Chevy models might require a few extra steps:

1. Inflate all tires to the recommended PSI – this should be around 35-40 for a HHR. Don’t forget the spare.
2. Push on the brake, then turn the ignition to “On.”
3. Press the “MENU/DIC” button, situated on the turn signal lever.
4. Use the buttons on the steering wheel to select the “Tire Pressure Menu” on the dashboard display.
5. Press the “SET/CLR” button. You should see a message along the lines of “Requesting Acceptance of the Process.”
6. Press “SET/CLR” a second time. You should hear the horn beep twice.
7. Go around the car, using the TPMS tool on each tire in the order listed earlier (driver front, passenger front, passenger rear, driver rear). Put the tool on each tire until the horn honks. When you’ve done all four, the TPMS should reset.

Alternative Ways to Reset the TPMS

If neither of the methods listed above work for you, don’t despair. There are some other methods you can use to make the TPMS light go away and reset the system.

• Try inflating your tires with air (to the recommended PSI levels) and then driving around for 5-10 minutes. The TPMS light may go away on its own once it detects that the tires have been inflated.
• With your car turned off, pop the hood. Carefully disconnect the battery, starting with the negative terminal. You’ll most likely need a socket wrench for this. Leave the battery disconnected for a few minutes (up to about 15 minutes, max). Then reconnect the battery.
• Alternatively, you can try inflating the tires a little above the PSI recommendation (2-3 PSI higher than recommended). Then let some air out of each tire, before reinflating them to the correct PSI. Don’t forget the spare.

Any of the three methods listed above may help to resolve the problem. You can also try simply repeating the previously discussed methods (with or without the TPMS reset tool), as it sometimes takes a couple of attempts to be successful.

If All Else Fails, Contact the Pros

Hopefully, one of these methods will work for you. But they might not. Some drivers get unlucky and can’t seem to reset the TPMS, no matter what they do. If that happens to you, the only option left may be to visit a mechanic or dealership. Let the pros take a look and run their diagnostics, as your car may have an underlying electronics or computing issue.

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